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A framework for enhancing student engagement and retention in large classes
has been developed at the University of Zululand. The framework features
several approaches to enhance interactive participation, engagement and
learning in order to reduce disengagement and eventual drop out.
The main features of the framework include the infrastructure contribution, the
technology solution, socio-cultural aspects, human capital deployment, the
methodology pedagogy and interventions. Management and leadership as well as
research and scholarship of teaching and learning are also integrated into the solution.
The technology and human capital deployment are probably the most impactful as
these focus directly on the interactive engagement of each student so as to make sure
that they find center stage of the classes where they matter like everybody else.
Within the technology and human capital contributions to enhancing large class impact
on learning and student engagement and retention are opportunities and platforms for
peer collaboration, group formation and dynamics and out of class participation.
The fundamental technology requirement of this large class framework is technology
infrastructure, hardware and software, and within this context, electronic learning
devices for students and for staff are a priority.